Govt must strike a careful balance as ‘pain is coming’

THE Government is facing a delicate communication challenge as it prepares citizens for possible economic fallout from the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.

Saifuddin stresses the administration must strike a careful balance in its messaging, ensuring Malaysians are ready for worsening conditions while avoiding both public panic and a false sense of normality.

“The challenge for the government, particularly in our communication strategy, is to prepare the people to accept the reality that the pain is coming,” he said.

“However, we do not want the people to panic. At the same time, we do not want them to be complacent.

“Avoiding panic means there can be no ‘denial syndrome’, but we also do not want a ‘business as usual’ attitude,” he said during the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly.

Saifuddin stressed that despite the emerging global headwinds, the government remains committed to a “people-first” approach aimed at cushioning Malaysians from the worst effects of the crisis, although he acknowledged that the country is already experiencing certain supply constraints.

In a related development, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman said the ministry is conducting a review of its development expenditure and procurement plans as part of a wider fiscal reassessment.

He said non-essential and non-urgent projects would be deferred, while critical initiatives would continue under revised priorities.

“At the same time, we need to reassess the priorities of our development projects.

“We must identify which initiatives to proceed with and which to postpone.

“Development projects and procurement are the two areas where I seek cooperation from all parties, especially heads of departments, to conduct a thorough review,” he said.

The remarks come as Malaysia prepares for broader spillover effects from geopolitical instability in West Asia, which policymakers warn could affect inflation, supply chains and government spending priorities in the months ahead. - April 13, 2026